Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday that there would be no delayed start date for term one despite some states deciding to push back to later in the year.

The plan featured mandatory staff vaccination, masks requirements, surveillance testing and a focus on outdoor learning, and will be reviewed by public health teams in four weeks.

More news: Greater Bendigo records 105 new cases of COVID-19 on January 27, 2022

Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said this would serve as some protection for staff and students.

"I think we feel reasonably well-prepared or at least across the advice given late last week," he said.

"The Department of Education and Training has done everything we could have expected them to do.

"We can't wish away everything that has happened in the community, but the range of measures that have been put in place to support schools, staff and students are layered and we will wait to see what happens when school goes back next week."

However, Mr Pearce said he is concerned about the vaccination and booster status of primary and teenage students.

More stories:

"If I've got a reservation it's about the level of immunisation at the moment," he said.

"Younger children, those up to 11-years-old are just now getting access to the COVID-19 vaccination.

"I have a daughter in that category and she has only just had her first dose and we know what was happening in primary schools at the end of last year locally and across the state.

"And then of course we've got the 12 to 17-year-olds who aren't yet able to access a booster or third dose of the vaccine.

"I struggle to understand why they can't unless it's about the supply available."

Mr Pearce said schools were expecting some level of transmission to occur when students and staff are back in the classrooms.

More news: Castlemaine leads the way for regional communities embracing 'Survival Day'

"We'll have to wait and see how going back to school will impact numbers across the state," he said.

"My guess is, and I think it is the view of most people, that we're going to see some transmission happening through schools.

"But we've got a range of measures in place that I think hopefully will serve us well."

He said if students didn't go back to classrooms on day one, there could be no end in sight for struggling pupils.

"I'm happy to be returning face-to-face," Mr Pearce said.

Other news: Golden Square train station could be reopened under plan

"I know Queensland was delaying their start date and I can't speak to other state decisions, but then the question would be when do you return?

"At what point and what is the tipping point and that could have stretched on for weeks.

"Particularly at year 11 and 12, a period of remote learning to start the year would not be ideal and the uncertainty about when they would go back would cause a lot of anxiety."

Mr Pearce said BSSC has had air purifiers installed throughout the school, but was still waiting for RAT kits to be delivered.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president Meredith Peace said they were pleased Victorians now had a plan to follow.

More news: Bendigo petrol prices are as high as 175.9 cents a litre

"Teachers, principals and support staff in schools and early childhood have been wanting to see a comprehensive return to school plan," she said.

"The measures outlined by the state government will help to reduce risk and also focus on the health and safety of staff and students, while balancing the need to have our students back at school.

"However, we must continue to monitor the implementation of the plan and its adequacy given the gravity of the circumstances we are dealing with, and the continuously changing nature of this virus.

"It is critical that these risk mitigation strategies are constantly monitored and updated to account for any challenges that require a stronger or different approach, in consultation with health experts and the union."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: